Summer

As the several days of Old Home Week celebration come to an end, Charity returns to the little house where she and Harney meet. She attributes her fainting spell in the Town Hall to the heat and the length of the ceremony. That evening, she is delighted when Harney is waiting for her at the dance and “[…] swept her off in a waltz” (104). Charity is also delighted to see that when Annabelle Balch enters the dance with Miss Hatchard, the younger woman is wearing an unattractive dress and looks worried. Harney appeases Charity by explaining that Miss Hatchard prevailed upon him to dance with each young lady; however, he asks her permission prior to each dance. Conversely, Charity is unable to forget the image of her lover and Annabelle at the Town Hall and experiences nagging doubts about the relationship.

She hears someone at the door and assumes that Harney has arrived, but “[t]he door opened and Mr. Royall walked into the room” (106). He advises Charity that he wants to talk to her before Harney arrives and asks what her intentions are. Royall alludes with shame to the evening of his drunken sexual advances toward her but reminds the young woman that he “[…] raised you as good as I could” (107) and is looking out for her welfare.

Harney enters, and Royall asks whether he intends to marry Charity; the young man evades the question by noting that Charity is an adult who meets at the house of her own volition. Royall encourages Charity to ask Harney when the wedding may take place but then notes that “I’m the only one that was fool enough not to know that” (108), an apparent allusion to the fact that his own marriage to the late Mrs. Royall may have been precipitated by the fact that they had conducted a love affair.

When Royall departs, the room in the cabin is described as having “[…] turned grey and indistinct” (109). The tone of the interaction between Harney and Charity has dimmed, as well. He produces sandwiches pilfered from the festival and advises her that he will have to leave for “a month or two” (109) but will marry her upon his return; however, Charity senses that his voice sounds unfamiliar. Prior to their last sexual encounter, he says, “‘But it’s been good, though, hasn’t it, Charity?’” (109).

As the lovers part, Harney asks Charity not to mention their impending marriage plans until his return. Still reeling from the shame of her encounter with Royall, she agrees hastily and experiences a sense of numbness. Her autonomy and independence has diminished; she fears the social comparisons that may result from marriage to Harney. Even his New York City mailing address at a club on Fifth Avenue is threatening to her, as she “[…] had never written to anyone farther away than Hepburn” (111). Harney writes to Charity ten days after his departure, and the tone is “tender but grave” (112). Realizing her own inadequacy at self-expression, she responds with a brief postcard and is aware that this may seem cold; however, she still recalls that marriage was never discussed prior to Royall introducing the subject so forcefully.

Ally Hawes visits Charity at home and sews clothing for Annabelle Balch during their time together. Innocently, Ally mentions that Annabelle left town with Mr. Harney after the Old Home celebration; Annabelle advised Ally that her services as a seamstress would be needed for her wedding trousseau, as she is engaged to Harney. Charity responds by tearing the lace garment that Ally is sewing to shreds.

The following day, Charity writes Harney, advising him that he should fulfill his promise to marry Annabelle; she is surprised when she receives no immediate response. Her physical condition changes, and she feels overcome by a “wave of sickness” (116). The next scene finds Charity at the Nettleton office of the abortionist, Dr. Merkle, who advises the girl that the pregnancy may be terminated in another month. When Charity is unable to pay the $5-charge for the visit, the unethical Merkle takes the blue brooch bought by Harney as collateral until the bill is paid.

Upon her return home, Charity receives an artfully phrased letter from Harney that offers her no hope as to their marriage: “If ever there is a hope of realizing what we dreamed of you will see me back on the instant” (121). Weeping, Charity happens upon Royall in his study; his gaze implies that he had warned her about the relationship, offered to force Harney into marriage, and may be aware of her pregnancy. Determined not to be the object of vicious village gossip, Charity decides to return to the Mountain to raise her baby.